Insulating grip identifier for beverage container

ABSTRACT

A decorative thermally insulated beverage container grip providing both an insulated grip and a means for distinguishing one&#39;s beverage container. The grip identifier is made of a flexible insulating material such as neoprene. The grip identifier is shaped as to fit snug around particular sizes and shapes of beverage containers such as a traditional pint glass. A vertical seam closed by a fastener allows for easy opening and closing of the grip around the glass. The flexible insulating material can be varying in design and indicia, a patch or a fastener for an interchangeable patch can be placed on the grip identifier for purposes of advertisement, as a means of distinguishing one&#39;s beverage container or to enhance its appearance. Additionally the grip identifier can have a loop for an ornament to be hung as an additional means of distinguishing one&#39;s beverage container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to improved means for distinguishing and gripping a beverage container. More specifically, the present invention relates to grips for a beverage container, including varying designs and an indicia or a patch which may be interchangeable, and a loop for hanging an ornament to allow for distinguishing one's beverage, as well as an insulated grip to allow for comfort while holding one's beverage. The insulated grip identifier can be made of neoprene.

Commercial success has yet to be achieved for an easy means of distinguishing one's beverage container together with a comfortable grip of said beverage container. In spite of successful means for distinguishing wine glasses and glass bottles by hanging ornaments, and grips for cans and glass bottles, there has not been a successful means for providing a comfortable grip and distinguishing a beverage container such as a traditional pint glass.

2. Description of Related Art

Being able to identify one's beverage container when it is near other beverage containers presents an awkward dilemma. Frequently, people drink beverages in groups in a home setting or at a bar. When more than one person places his or her beverage on a table or bar and the beverages are in the same types of container, it can be difficult to determine which drink belongs to which person. Additionally, when holding a beverage the temperature of the beverage transmits from the beverage container to the consumer's hand, presenting an uncomfortable sensation. The difficulty in distinguishing one's beverage along with the uncomfortable sensation of the temperature of the beverage when holding a beverage diminish the enjoyment of consuming beverages.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,497 (the '497 patent) issued for the JAVA JACKET®, and insulating sleeve for hot beverage containers that shields a user's hands from the same. In contradistinction to the present invention the '497 patent does not teach plastic or rubber based compounds. The prior art also describes an insulated bottle holder in U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,254 and an insulated beverage container in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,554.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a thermally insulated, flexible grip for a beverage container. It is another object of the invention to provide beverage container grips with varying designs and varying indicia and/or patches to enhance the appearance of the beverage container or for advertisement and to provide a means for distinguishing one's beverage container. Additionally a loop is provided for the hanging of an ornament as a means of distinguishing one's beverage container. It is a further object of the invention to provide a beverage container grip that conforms to the shape of the container. Still another object of the invention is to provide a beverage container grip which is easy to apply to and remove from said beverage container. The invention can be made out of neoprene. The invention can have an open seam which contains a fastener for easy application and removal of said invention from said beverage container. The flexible, insulating material can be of varying design, including but not limited to a plain color, an appealing pattern, or an advertisement. The grip can also contain an indicia, a patch, or a fastener for an interchangeable patch to enhance its appearance, to communicate a message, for advertisement, or for a means of distinguishing one's beverage container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a grip identifier as viewed from the front according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a grip identifier according to an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a grip identifier in the open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a grip identifier as viewed from the rear according to and embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE INVENTION

The present invention as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is a thermally insulated, flexible beverage grip identifier 100 for both holding a beverage container 101 and for easy identification of one's beverage container 101. FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 are environmental, perspective views of a first embodiment of a grip identifier 100. FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective as viewed from the front. FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective as viewed from the rear. FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of a grip identifier in the open position. The grip identifier is made of a flexible insulating material such as neoprene, however, any suitable flexible insulating material may be used.

The term “flexible” as used herein means bendable and elastic. The term “beverage container” as used herein means any drinking apparatus including but not limited to glass, plastic, ceramic, metal, and the manufacturer's bottle or can. The term “beverage glass” as used herein means any beverage container excluding the beverage manufacturer's bottle or can. A beverage glass can be made of any material including but not limited to glass, plastic, ceramic, wood product, and metal. The term “patch” as used herein means a piece of material which may be a solid color or may contain any design or indicia. The term “interchangeable patch” as used herein means a piece of material which may be a solid color or may contain any design or indicia and has a fastener for attachment to the grip identifier.

An embodiment of the grip identifier 100 is contoured as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The contour shape of an embodiment of the grip identifier 100 conforms to the shape of the beverage container 101 so as to provide a snug fit. Indicia (not shown) or a patch (not shown) can be placed on the grip identifier 100 to enhance the physical appearance of the grip identifier 100, to display an advertisement, or to display any design providing an easy means of distinguishing one's beverage container 101. A fastener, including but not limited to the loop portion of the hook and loop type fastener could be adhered to the grip identifier to provide a means for attachment of an interchangeable patch. The interchangeable patch (not shown) can contain a fastener, including but not limited to the hook portion of the hook and loop type fastener. The area 102 is one possible location for indicia, a patch, or a fastener for an interchangeable patch; however, any portion of the grip identifier 100 could bear indicia, a patch, or a fastener for an interchangeable patch. The indicia, patch, or fastener can vary in size. A loop 103 can be attached to the grip identifier 100. The loop 103 can be made of any material including but not limited to fabric or a plastic or metal ring. The loop 103 can be adhered to the grip identifier 100 by any means including but not limited to being stitched or glued in place. The loop 103 can be adhered to the grip identifier 100 at any location of the glass grip identifier 100. The loop 103 provides the consumer with an easy means of attaching an ornament to enable the consumer to easily distinguish his or her beverage container.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the grip identifier in the open position. A suitable porous insulating material which is flexible and preferably water resistant is utilized. This may be comprised of a liner 104, an outside sheath 105 and a filler material 106. The filler material 106 can be any flexible, insulating material including but not limited to neoprene. The grip identifier 100 can contain any number of vertical seams (not shown). Elastic inserts (not shown) can be provided in the seams of the grip identifier 100 running the entire height of the grip identifier 100. Elastic inserts can be formed of an insulating, stretchable material extending the height of the grip identifier 100 and suitably joined to the seams of the basic grip identifier by stitching or other means. The seams of the grip identifier with or without elastic inserts ensure that the grip identifier will fit snug around a beverage container 101 and also allow for the grip identifier to be stored in a folded position.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows grip identifier 100 in an open position. The grip identifier 100 has a left end and a right end as well as a front side and a back side. A fastener 107 is attached to the left end of the front side of the grip identifier 100. A corresponding fastener 107 is attached to the back side of the right end of the glass grip identifier 100. The fastener 107 can be made of a number of materials including but not limited to hook and loop type fasteners, magnets, zippers, snaps and buttons. FIG. 4 is an environmental rear view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in the fastened position.

The thickness of the grip identifier can vary and ranges approximately from 1 mm to 10 mm. The height of the grip identifier can also vary it can range from approximately 10 mm to the entire height of the beverage container. The length of the grip identifier can also vary; however, it should be long enough to wrap around the beverage container with additional room for overlap where the grip identifier is to be fastened to itself. For a traditional beverage pint glass the length of the grip identifier measured in a straight line from the top left corner to the top right corner while in the open position should be approximately 25 to 40 cm. The size of the grip identifier can be smaller for smaller beverage containers and larger for larger beverage containers. The contour of the grip identifier should be such that it fits snug around the beverage container for which it will be used. 

1. A grip identifier for a beverage glass comprising flexible insulating material wherein said grip identifier is contoured to wrap around and conform to the shape of said beverage glass.
 2. The grip identifier of claim 1 wherein said beverage glass is a traditional pint glass.
 3. The grip identifier of claim 1 wherein said flexible insulating material comprises neoprene.
 4. The grip identifier of claim 1 further comprising a loop adhered to said grip identifier.
 5. The grip identifier of claim 1 further comprising indicia or a patch disposed upon said flexible insulating material.
 6. The grip identifier of claim 1 further comprising a fastener for an interchangeable patch wherein said fastener is disposed upon said flexible insulating material.
 7. The grip identifier of claim 6 wherein the fastener is the loop portion of the hook and loop type fastener.
 8. The grip identifier of claim 1 further comprising between 1 and 4 vertical seams.
 9. The grip identifier of claim 8 further comprising an elastic strip extending along said seam(s) to allow for a snug fit to said beverage glass.
 10. The grip identifier of claim 1 wherein said flexible insulating material has a front side, back side, left end, and right end and further comprising: a first fastener device secured to said left end of said front side, and a second fastener device secured to said back side of said right end.
 11. The grip identifier of claim 10 wherein said beverage glass is a traditional pint glass.
 12. The grip identifier of claim 10 wherein said flexible insulating material comprises neoprene.
 13. The grip identifier of claim 10 further comprising a loop adhered to said grip identifier.
 14. The grip identifier of claim 10 wherein said first fastener and said second fastener are hook and loop type fasteners.
 15. The grip identifier of claim 10 further comprising indicia or a patch disposed upon said flexible insulating material.
 16. The grip identifier of claim 10 further comprising a fastener for an interchangeable patch, wherein said fastener for an interchangeable patch is disposed upon said flexible insulating material.
 17. The grip identifier of claim 16 wherein said fastener for an interchangeable patch is the loop portion of the hook and loop type fastener.
 18. The grip identifier of claim 10 further comprising between 1 and 3 vertical seams.
 19. The grip identifier of claim 18 further comprising an elastic strip extending along said seam(s) to allow for a snug fit to said beverage glass.
 20. A grip identifier for a beverage container comprising: flexible insulating material wherein said grip identifier is contoured to wrap around and conform to the shape of said beverage container, and a fastener for an interchangeable patch, wherein said fastener is disposed upon said flexible insulating material.
 21. The grip identifier of claim 20 wherein said flexible insulating material comprises neoprene.
 22. The grip identifier of claim 20 wherein the fastener is the loop portion of the hook and loop type fastener.
 23. The grip identifier of claim 20 wherein said flexible material has a front side, back side, left end, and right end and further comprising: a first fastener device secured to said left end of said front side, and a second fastener device secured to said back side of said right end.
 24. The grip identifier of claim 23 wherein said first fastener and said second fastener are hook and loop type fasteners.
 25. The grip identifier of claim 20 further comprising a loop adhered to said grip identifier.
 26. The grip identifier of claim 20 further comprising between 1 and 4 vertical seams.
 27. The grip identifier of claim 26 further comprising an elastic strip extending along said seam(s). 